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Last night Boone Town Council took steps towards improving the town’s water situation by amending its water and sewer ordinance.

Now rainwater can be used to flush toilets- an option restricted in the
old ordinance. According to Public Utilities Director Rick Miller, it’s
a step in the right direction.
"It helps conserve the water we're making at the plant so those numbers
are lower, and the rainwater is basically free," Miller said.

Under the amended ordinance, projects like the new Watauga High School
will be able to implement rain harvesting catchment systems.
"It's just a collection system that catches rainwater," Miller said.

It can be as simple as a rain barrel.

Amendments were passed on a unanimous vote. This is another step
towards what the Council has been working towards for years, according
to Councilman Buck Spann.

"This buys us some time as well as reinforces the conservation ethic in our community," he said.

In 2004, a report concluded Boone did not have enough raw water sources
to meet its twenty-year needs. The report estimated the town would be
in a moratorium situation as early as 2009, Miller said. While the
heaviest day last month utilized 1.933 million gallons, the town is
permitted to treat 3 million gallons, he said. That means we’re in good
shape- but for how long?

The town of Boone is under a Voluntary Water Conservation ordinance-
but that may not be enough for the peak months of September and
October, he said. Miller advised residents to be diligent with their
conservation efforts- and to limit lawn watering and other non-vital
uses of potable water.

For more information on how to utilize rainwater in your home, contact
an Every Drop Counts conservation officer at (828) 266-1183.

Zoning ordinances dealing with Appalachian State University were taken off the agenda at the last minute. Discussions on University District zoning will resume next meeting.